Belt splice



June 29, 1943. w; n' PERRY BELT 'slmcrz Filed July l5, 1942 s sheets-sheet 1 l er June 29, 1943. v

w. R. PERRY BELT SPLICE Filed .July is, 1942 s sheets-sheet 2l INVEN TOR )f/nm ,Q4/05am;

June 29, 1943.

w. R PERRY BELT sPLlE Filed July 13. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.` MMM?. Prie); BY* pi/fm. A/

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Patented June 29, 1943 BELT SPLICE William R. Perry, Columbus, Ind., assigner te Reeves Pulley Company, Columbus, Ind., a'corporation of Indiana Application July 13, 1942, Serial No. 450,812

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a belt splice, and is particularly concerned with the problem of providing a splice for the ends of a belt band which'band is relatively flexible, both longitudinally and transversely, but which is transversely stiffened by blocks clamped to the inner and outer surfaces of the belt band.` The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, but highly eiiicient, splice means whereby the two ends of the band may be readily con nected together or disconnected, through which a pull-transmitting connection will be established, and the parts of which will `be rigidly, yet simply, held against disengagement. A further object of the invention is to provide, in such a splice, for a considerable degree of iiexibility about an axis extending transversely of the belt band. Further objects of the invention will appear as `the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention `may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specic con-` structions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fragment of abeltof the character here under consideration, the ends of which are connected together through `one form of my novel splice;

Fig. v2'is a transverse section taken substantially on `the line 2-2 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. `3 is a plan view of the splice of Fig. l, the outer block and clamping bolts having been removed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view of the same splice, in the absence of the securing blocks;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through a modied form of splice;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the splice of Fig. 5 before assembly of the band ends;-

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the splice of Fig. 5, in the absence of the reinforcing blocks;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through a still further form of splice; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the splice shown in Fig. 8, but before assembly of the band ends.

Referring `more lparticularly to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 4, it will )be seen thatlhave illustrated a belt band indicated generally by the reference numeral |0. In the illustrated embodiment of `the invention, the band Hl is relatively wide, as will be seen from an inspection of Fig. '3, for instance, and transverse rigidity is lent to the belt by a series of blocks associated with the outer surface of the band and a series of blocks l2 associated with the inner surface thereof, said blocks 'being clamped to the belt band in pairs by one or more bolts I3 each passing through a pair of blocks and l2 and through the belt band, and receiving a nut lll on its projecting end. Of course, the splices of the present invention are not limited in their application to such a belt, but they find a high degree of `utility in connection with sucha belt.` e

The splice illustrated in Figs. `l-ll is intended to secure together the end portions 1:5 and IB of the belt band I0. A plate l'l, having a itransverse dimension substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the band I0, is associated with the outer surface |18 Aof the Iend portion |5 of said band. The plate "Il 'is formed to provide a plurality of `transversely spaced lingers i9 `projecting longitudinally beyond the extremity 2U of the band end |5. Each nger {|9 is formed with `a terminal portion 2| projecting laterally in a vcommon direction, each suchterminal portion thus providing a surface' 22 lying Vparallel to the extremity 20. Thus the terminal portions 2| of the lingers I9 provide a series lof transversely spaced surfaces lying in 'a common plane parallel with, andifacing, the belt Aend extremity 20. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plane'of the ysurfaces 22 coincides with the vertical plane including the extremity 20 of the beltband.

A similar plate 23 is associated with the inner surface 24 of the band end l5, said `plate being formed with a similar series .of fingers 25 projecting longitudinally beyond the extremity .20 of the belt band. Each of said fingers is formed with a laterally extending terminal portion 26, which portions immediately underlie the terminal portions 2| of the fingers I9, and provide surfaces 21 coplanar with the surfaces 22.

The plates |l and 23 are lsecured to the belt end l5 by a series of rivets 28 passing through said plates and through said belt end and headed over against the remote surfaces of the plates. The rivets are applied under a predetermined pressure, so that the belt `body is somewhat compressed between said plates. the belt body which lie between the transversely spaced shanks of the :lingers I9 and l25 will bulge Those portions of Y outwardly somewhat, in the manner illustrated in the drawings; and therefore, the fingers I9 are formed with offset portions 29, while the fingers 25 are formed with similar offset portions, whereby the fingers I 9 and 25 are caused to are away from each other, in order that they may readily clear the bulging portions of the band end I between the fingers carried by said band end I6'. Similarly, the terminal portions 2| and 26 are preferably bent outwardly somewhat, in the manner illustrated in the drawings, to simplif assembly of the splice.

A plate 39, similar to the plate I1, is associated with the outer surface of the band end I6. Said plate 36 is provided with a series of fingers 3| similar to the fingers I9, each formed lith a laterally projecting terminal extension 33. Because of the fact that the plate 39 is so assembled with the belt end I6 that its fingers 3| project oppositely with respect to the fingers I9 of the plate I1, the terminal portions 33 thereof likewise project oppositely with respect to the terminal portions 2| of the fingers I9. The plate 39 is so assembled with thebelt end I6 'thatV its fingers 3| are staggered with respect to the fingers I9 of the plate I1; and the terminal portions 33 of said fingers provide surfaces 34 lying in a common plane spaced longitudinally from the adjacent edge of the plate and, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, lying in the vertical plane including the extremity 32 of the band end I6. A plate 35 like the plate 23 is associated with the inner surface of the band end I6, said plate being provided with fingers 36 like the fingers 3| and having transversely extending terminal portions (not shown) immediately underlying the terminal portions 33 of the fingers 3|. The'plates'BIl and 35 are secured to the belt end I6 byV rivets 31 like the rivets 23.

I The fingers of each series are spaced apart a distance equal Vto the transverse dimension of a nger shank plus twice the lateral extent of a finger terminalportion, so that, looking at Fig. 3, the belt end I5 may be shifted to the left with respecttov the belt end |i6 far enough for the extremities of the fingers 2| to clear the extremities of the fingers 33, whereupon the belt ends may be separated by relative longitudinal movementi thereof. When the belt ends aref to be connected, they are brought together in longitudinalj misalignment. The ngers I9 and 25 spanthe, terminal portion ofthe band end I6, while the fingers 3| and 36 span the terminal portion of the band end I5, the laterally extending portions 2| of the fingers I9 are caused to move longitudinally past the laterally extending portions 33 of the fingers 3|, while the corresponding portions 26 of the fingers 23 move longitudinally past, the laterally extending portions of the fingers 36, until the surfaces 221 have passedthe surfaces 34 and the surfaces 21 have passed the corresponding surfaces of the terminal portions of the fingers 36. Then, by relative transverse movement of the band ends, the laterally extending terminal portions of the fingers I9 are hookedbehind zthe laterally extending terminal portions 33 of the fingers 3|, While they portions 26 of the fingers 25 are similarly hooked behind-the `corresponding portions of the fingers 36 to establish a pull-transmitting connection between the belt ends I5 and I6.

YIt, will beseen that, in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, a common plane contains the surface 29 and the surface 32 of the band ends I5 and I6, the engaging surfaces 22 and 34, and the surfaces 21 and the corresponding surfaces of the terminal portions of the fingers 36. The Shanks of the fingers 25 and 36 are long enough to permit some relative movement of the fingers 25 and 36 in a direction tending to separate the surfaces 21 from the corresponding surfaces of the terminal portions of the fingers 36. It follows that the splice is somewhat iiexible about an axis lying in the abovementioned plane, in that the plates 36 and I1 may be rocked slightly about an axis lying in the common plane of the engaging surfaces 22 Vand 34.

A block 38 similar to the blocks I is now laid in position straddling the above-mentioned plane and engaging the exposed surfaces of the plates I1 and 39. It will be noted that the block 38 contacts the plate I1 at a point 39 near said common plane and at a point 46 remote from said common plane; and engages the plate 39 at a point III near said common plane and at a point 42 remote from said common plane. The inner surface of the block 38 is preferably formed with transverse grooves 44 and 45 for the accommodation of the heads of the rivets 28 and 31.

A block 6 similar to the block I2 is now associated with the plates 23 and 35. It is to be particularly noted that the block d6 engages the plate 23 only at the point 41, closely adjacent the above-mentioned plane, and at the point 46 likewise closely adjacent said plane, the upper surface of said block being rounded off as at 49 in the manner of the upper surfaces of the blocks I2.

This construction substantially prevents liexing of the splice in a direction to move the remote edges of the plates I1 and 30 upwardly, as

viewed in Fig. 1, but permits some flexing of said/` splice in a direction tending to move said remote edges downwardly as viewed in Fig. 1.

The blocks 38 and I5 are provided with bores 43 and 56, respectively, for the reception of bolts 5|/ which pass therethrough to receive nuts 52, clamping the blocks 38 and 36 together. Said bolts 5I perform a further function, in that the block bores are so spaced as to register with the spaces between certain of the fingers I9 and adjacent fingers 3|. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that bolts passed through the bores 5D will lie between fingers I9 and adjacent fingers 33 in such positions as to prevent movement of the plate I1 to the left relative to the plate 3|). Thereby, the bolts 56 lock the splice elements against relative movement in a direction transverse to the belt length, while the blocks 38 and 46 hold the splice elements against relative movement in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the belt body.

Referring, now, to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5-7, it will be seen that I have showna plate 39, having a transverse dimension substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the band II), associated with the outer surface- IB of the end portion I5 of the band I6. The plate 69 is formed to provide a plurality of transversely spaced fingers 6| each projecting longitudinally beyond the extremity 29 of the band end I 5. Each finger 6I is formed with a terminal portion 62 bent outwardly out of the plane of the 69 lie .in -a .common Vplane perpendicular tothe 'plane of the band end I5 Vandtothe direction `of band travel, and coincident with the `plane of the extremity 20 of the belt band.

A similar plate 64 is secured Lto the inner surface 24 of the band end I5, said plate 64 being formed with a similar'series of fingers 66 projecting longitudinally beyond the extremity ZU of the belt band. Each'of said fingers v66 is formed with a terminal portion 61 Ybent inwardly out of the plane of .the band .end I5, each such terminalportionthus providing a surface68 angularly related to the plane of the `band Yend I `and to the direction of travel Iof the band. In the illustrated embodiment of this fform pf my invention, the surfaces 68 `lie in the common plane of thesurfaces 63, 'substantially perpendicular to the plane of the lband end `I5 and the direction of band travel, and substantially coincident with the plane of the extremity 20 ofthe band end I5.

The Aplates '60 and 64 are preferably secured to the `band end I5 by rivets 69 in the manner abovedescribed in connection with `the plates I1 and 23. y l

A plate 10, `similar to the plate 66, is associated with the outer surface ofthe band end I6. Said plate is provided with a series of fingers 1|, each of which projects longitudinally lsomewhat beyond the extremity 32 of the bandend I6; and eachfinger 1| is formed with a terminal portion 12 bent outwardly outof the plane of the `band end I6. At its outer end, each terminal portion 12 is formed with a lateral extension 13, each of which provides a face 14 :engageable with the face 63 of the terminal portion of a corresponding finger 6I. The plate .10 is so assembled with the band end I6 that its fingers 1I are'staggered with respect to the fingers 61| of the plate 60; and the .faces 14, in the illustrated embodiment of this 'form of my invention, lie in a common plane substantially perpendicular to the planefof Athe band .end I6 and to the direction of band travel, and .substantially `coincident with the plane of the extremity 32 ofthe band end I6. A yplate `15 like the plate -10 is associatedwith the inner surface of the band end I6,said plate being provi-ded with fingers 16 like the fingers 1| formed with intumed terminal portions 11 having lateral extensions 18 Yproviding faces 19 which, in the illustrated embodiment of this form of my'invention, lieiin fthe plane `defined by the faces :14.` The plates 10 and 15 are secured to the bandend Vby rivets 80 like the rivets 69.

With certain exceptions to be mentioned hereinaftenth'e fingers `of each series are ,spaced apart a distance equal tothe lateral Vextent of oneof the extensions 13. Thus, looking at Fig. 6,

the band end `I5 may be shifted upwardly topass the terminal portions 62 'through the spaces between the extensions 13, and may then be shifted to the `right to engage `said terminal portions l62 behind said extensions 13 to provide ,a pull connection between the belt ends I5 and I6 by engagement of the` faces 63 with the faces 14. vvOf course, at the same time, the faces 68 -of the terminal portions `I'I |of theV fingers 66 are similarly interengaged with the faces 1'9 of the extensions 18 of the terminal portions 11 ofthe lingers 16.

The exceptions above referred to yare the fingers immediately 'adjacent the points Aat which the band ends are notched, 'as at 8 I, 82', .83 and "84, for the passage of bolts 85. These fingers are somewhat .more widely spaced Yto yaccommodate such bolts; and itwill be seen that each bolt fengages .a finger .on -each 'of theplates i60, 64, Wand 15 to hold said ngers and platesagainstrelative movement in a directionto effect disengagement of the pull-connection-establishing faces. Said bolts =act to clamp in place a block 86, engaging the plates 60and 10 and formed with a cavity 81 for the accommodation of the finger terminals 62 and 12, and a block ,88 engaging the plates 64 and 15 and formed with a cavity 89 for the accommodation of the finger terminals 61 and 11. These blocks `and bolts, of course, complete the spliceA of Figs. 5 7, securing the interengaged coupling elements against any relative movement tending to separate the interengaged faces.

In Figs. 18 and 9, I have shown a still further form of splice coming within the purview of my present invention. In this form, a plate is associated with the outer surface I8 of the band end I5, said plate being formed at its'outer edge with an outturned flange 9 I. As in the previouslydescribed forms of the invention the plate 99 preferably has a transverse `extent substantially equal to that of the band end I5, and the flange 9| 'is preferably ofthe same length. A plate 92 is secured to the outer surface of the band end I6, and at its `outer edge, said plate 92 is bent outwardly asat 93 and. then rebent inwardly as at 94 to form an inwardly-facing channel 95 bodily displaced 'outwardly from the outer surface of the belt band, vand extending transversely thereacross. As is clearly shown in Fig'. 8, the flange 9| is adapted tobe received in the channel 95 to establish a pull connection between the ends I5 and I6 of the band IIJ.

Similarly, a plate 96,-'like the plate 90, is secured to the inner surface vof the band end I6, and is provided with an 'inturned flange 91; while a plate 198 is secured to the inner surface of the band end I5 vandis bent inwardly atA 99 and then outwardly` at `I0|Ivto 'form an outwardlyfacing, transversely-extending channel ||J| bodily displaced inwardly from the inner surface of the belt band. The ange`91, of course, is received in the channel |0`I to assist in the establishment of the pull connection between the band ends.

The plates 90 and 98 are secured to the band end I5 by'rvets |02, while the plates 92 and 96 are similarlysecured to the band end I6 by rivets |03; A block `IIJII'bears upon the plates 99 and 92, and a block |95 bears vupon the plates 96 vand 98; androne or more bolts |06 passing through the assembly clamp the blocks in place.

Inthe form of the yinvention illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, special provision is made for minimizing the deleterious effect of sharp flexure of lthe band I0 immediately adjacent the splice blocks |04 and |95 `as the belt runs around a smalldiameter sheave. It will be noted that theillustrated embodiment of thesplice of Figs. 8 and 9 holds the band ends I5 and I6 some 10 out of coplanar relation. It will be clear, then, that when the splice is located between pulleys, the band will be flexed `outwardly by some 5 at each side lof the splice block; and that when the splice is located on a sheave, the degree of fiexure of the belt atY each side of vthe spl-ice blocks will be some 5 less than it'would be if the clamped ends of the band were held by the splice in coplanar relation.

This effect is produced by the fact that the flange91 is bent back 100 from the plane of the plate '96, while the portion 93 of the plate 92 is bent `out only 80:f1'0m the plane of that plate, the portion 94v being parallel with the portion 93. The plates 192V and 96 areso proportioned and arranged that the median planeV of the flange 91 bisects the channel 95.

Similarly, the median plane of the flange 9i bisects the channel I0, but that plane is perpendicular to the plane of the band end l5. Thus, when the flange 9| is entered in the channel 95 and the flange 91 is entered in the channel 10|, the two band ends will automatically be thrown out of coplanar relation to a degree de-` termined by the degree of deviation of the median plane of the flange 91 from perpendicularity to the plane of the band end I6. Preferably, and to obtain full advantage of this arrangement, the inner edges of all four plates 90, 92, 96, and 98 should be curled away from the general planes of the band ends in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8.

I claim as my invention: y

l. The combination with a belt band, of a splice flexible about an axis extending transversely of said band for securing together the ends of said band comprising a lirst series of lingers secured to one end of said band and projecting longitudinally therebeyond, a second series of lingers secured to the other end of said band and projecting longitudinally therebeyond, the lingers of said lirst series being provided with terminal portions projecting transversely in one direction to provide a series of transversely spaced sur-V faces lying in'a common plane extending transversely of said band and facing the associated band end, the lingers of said second series being staggered with respect to the lingers of said lirst series and being provided with terminal portions projecting transversely in the opposite direction to provide a; series of transversely spaced surfaces lying in a common plane extending transversely of said band and facing the associated band end, said transversely spaced surfaces of the lingers of said lirst series being engaged with the transversely spaced surfaces f the fingers of said second series in a single plane extending Vtransversely of saidY band to establish a pull'- transmitting connection between said band ends,

. and means engaging said lingers at points spaced oppositely from the extremities of said band to hold the same against disengagement' cf said lingers but permitting relative rocking of the fingers of said two series about an axis located in said plane.

2. The combination with a belt band, of a spliceflexible about an axis extending transversely of said band for securing together the ends of said band comprising a lirst series of lingers secured to one end of said band and projecting longitudinally therebeyond, a second series of fingers secured to the other end of said band and projecting longitudinally therebeyond, the lingers of said lirst series being provided with terminal portions projecting transversely in one direction to provide a series of transversely spaced surfaces lying in a common plane extending transversely of said band and facing the associated band end, the lingers of said second series being staggered with respect to Vthe lingers of said lirst series and being provided with terminal portions projecting transversely in the opposite direction to provide a series of transversely spaced surfaces lying inV a common plane extending transversely of said band and facing the associated band end, said transversely spaced sur faces of the lingers of said lirst series being engaged with the transversely spaced surfaces. of the lingers'of said second series in asinglef planeextending transversely of said band to establish a pull-transmitting connection between said band ends, a block straddling said plane and engaging said fingers at points spacedmaterially on opposite sides of said plane at the outer surface'of said belt, a second block straddling said plane at the inner surface of said belt and normally engaging said belt only at points less widely spaced on opposite sides of said plane, and means clamping said blocks in position.

3. The combination with a belt band of means for connecting together the ends of said band comprising a plate secured to the outer surface Iof one end of said band, a second plate secured to the outer surface of the other end of said band, a third plate `secured to the inner surface of the first-named end of said band', a fourth plate secured to the inner surface of said other end of said band, each of said plates being formed to provide a surface angularly related to the plane of said band and to the direction of travel of said band, said surfaces of said lirst and second plates being mutually engaged and said surfaces of said third and fourth plates being mutually engaged to provide a pulling connection be` tween said band ends, and means normally holding said interengaged surfaces against separation.

4. The combination with a belt band of means for Vconnecting together the ends of lsaid' band comprising a plate secured to the outer surface of one end of said band, a second plate secured to the outer surface of the other end of said band,v a third plate secured to the inner surface of the lirst-named end of said band, a fourth plate secured to the inner surface of said other end of said band,'each of said plates being formed to provide a surface angularly related to the' plane of said band and to the direction of'travel of said band, said surfaces of said first and sec-` ond plates being mutually engaged and said surfacesof said third and fourth plates being mutu-V ally engaged to provide' a pulling connection between said band ends, a transversely rigid'block engaging saidlirst and second plates and formed with a cavity for the accommodation of the portions of said plates providing v'said angularly related surfaces, a second transversely rigid block' engaging said third and fourth plates and formed'r with a cavity for the accommodation of the portions of said plates providing said angularly related surfaces, and means engaging said blocks and holding the same against relative movement to prevent separation of said intrer'engaged plate surfaces.

5. The combination with a belt band of means for connecting together the ends of said band comprising va plate secured to the outerrsurface of one end of said-band, a second plate secured to the outer surface of the `other end of said band, a third plate secured to the inner surface of and meansnormally holding said interengaged.

surfaces against separation.

6. The combination with a belt band of means for` connecting together the ends of said band comprising a plate secured to the outer surface of one end of said band and havinga portioni bent outwardly to provide a face angularly related to the plane of said band, a second plate secured to the outer surface of the other end of said band and having a portion bent out of the plane of said band to provide a face lying substantially parallel to said first-named face when said two band ends are disposed in coplanar relation, said two faces being interengageable to hold said band ends against separation, a third plate secured to the inner surface of an end of said band and having a portion bent outwardly to provide a face angularly related to the plane of said band, a fourth plate secured to the inner surface of the other end of said band and having a portion bent out of the plane of said band to provide a face lying substantially parallel to said last-named face when said two band ends are disposed in coplanar relation, said two last-mentioned faces being likewise interengageable to hold said band ends against separation, and means engaging all of said plates to hold said interengaged faces against separation.

7. The combination with a belt band of means for securing together the ends of said band comprising a plate secured to the outer surface of one end of said band and formed at its outer edge With an out turned flange extending transversely of said band end, a second plate secured to the outer surface of the other end of said band and formed at its outer edge with an inwardly-facing channel bodily spaced outwardly from said band and extending transversely of said other band end, a third plate secured to the inner surface of said first-named band end and formed at its outer edge with an outwardly-facing channel bodily spaced inwardly from said band and extending transversely of said band end, a fourth plate secured to the inner surface of said other band end and formed at its outer edge with an inturned flange extending transversely of said band end, said flange on said first plate being received in said channel on said second plate and said flange on said fourth plate being received in said channel on said third plate to provide a pulling connection between said band ends, and means engaging said plates and holding said flanges against removal from said channels.

8. The combination with a belt band of means for securing together the ends of said band comprising a plate secured to a surface of one end of said band and formed at its outerl edge with a flange angularly related to the plane of said band end and extending transversely thereof, a plate secured to the same surface of the other end of said band and formed at its outer edge with a channel bodily displaced from the plane of said belt band, presenting its mouth toward said plane, and extending transversely of said band, said plates being interengaged by entry of said flange into said channel, one of said interengaged elements being substantially perpendicular to the plane of said band and the other being inclined to said plane at an angle other than WILLIAM R. PERRY. 

